Two Rangers fans banned from every football ground in UK after Old Firm disorder

Two men have been banned from every football ground in the UK for their part in Old Firm disorder.

Fans clashed on the field after Celtic knocked Rangers out of the Scottish Cup on penalties at Ibrox on March 8.

Police made dozens of arrests following the violence, which saw officers, supporters, members of coaching staff, and players assaulted.

A ten-year-old child was also struck by a coin as items, including pyrotechnics, were thrown by supporters.

Among those involved were two Rangers fans separately captured on video participating in the disorder.

Mackenzie Graham, from Glasgow, was seen jumping over a fence and leading a group invading the pitch.

The 21-year-old repeatedly incited others to do the same.  

SNS Group

John Smith, 19, from Peterhead, was seen to have thrown a bottle at Celtic supporters in the stand and was apprehended by police.

Both men admitted the charges against them. 

Graham was sentenced to a two-year community payback order alongside an electronic monitoring order.

He was further handed a five-year football banning order, which bans him from every football ground in the UK and from travelling to support any team. 

Smith was sentenced last month to a 12-month community payback order and a four-month restriction of liberty order.  He also received a five-year football banning order.

SFA report

Police Scotland has made 37 arrests to date in connection with the disorder.

The match was the first time an allocation of away supporters at an Old Firm game was reinstated to 8,042 tickets for Celtic – the largest away derby allocation since 2018.

A recent report by the Scottish Football Association found that “life-threatening” violence could have unfolded in the four minutes and 28 seconds it took for police to re-establish control after the disorder broke out.

The report detailed that Celtic Ultras were the first to enter the pitch “in jubilation”, with others following their lead.

The Union Bears were said to follow in behaviour described as “reactionary, confrontational, and overtly threatening”.

It added: “The post-match pitch invasion by several hundred Celtic supporters was wholly inexcusable. It provoked an immediate hostile response from sections of the home support, who forced past stewards and police to reach the pitch.”

Among the disorder, a flare was thrown between the two groups six times, with one striking an RFC security operative and a CCTV operator.

The stand manager was found to have been confronted by a masked Rangers fan – assumed to be an Ultra group member – and hit in the face and hospitalised. The employee is receiving ongoing treatment to the inner ear following a traumatic injury.

‘Fear and distress’

Fraser Gibson, procurator fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said: “The behaviour of these two men contributed to mayhem at a major sporting event. 

“It caused fear and distress amongst football fans and members of the public. 

“Peaceful supporters, children and disabled people were caught up in the chaos and had to be shepherded to safety. 

“Football-related crime is a blight on Scotland’s communities. It will not be tolerated.  

“It should be understood that anyone who chooses to contribute to football-related disorder can expect to be held accountable by COPFS, Police Scotland and the courts.” 

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